Stirling man charged over holes in Stirling East Primary School, Uraidla Football Club ovals

A Stirling man will face court after being charged with a bizarre spate of crimes that left a school community and a football club fuming.

A rogue prospector believed to be responsible for digging almost 100 holes on Adelaide Hills ovals – creating danger for kids and footy players – has been charged by police.

A 38-year-old man from Stirling has been charged with six counts of property damage, unlawful possession and deception.

He has been bailed to attend at the Mount Barker Magistrates Court in June.

His charges related to extensive damage to the oval and athletics track at Stirling East Primary School where he is alleged to have dug around 50 holes of various sizes on March 23.

Holes on one of the Hills ovals. Picture: Marc Richards

He is also believed to responsible for digging about 25 holes on Uraidla Oval on Friday, March 25.

The crime sparked community anger with Uraidla’s District Football Club forced to play the season’s first game on a damaged oval over the weekend.

Club president Marc Richards said the holes had to be patched by volunteers as the oval was also used for weekly training.

“We’re talking 25 holes, maybe more. The ones that happened Friday morning were the worst, they are right in the middle of the oval, big enough to put a football in,” he said.

Mr Richards said similar incidents had occurred in the past years but the ones in recent days had been the worst he’d seen.

“They obviously couldn’t care less, anyone in their right mind wouldn’t do it, they’ve got no concept of people’s wellbeing, of the timing of what they’re doing, of the effort that goes into the oval,” he said.

Holes on one of the Hills ovals. Picture: Marc Richards

Holes on one of the Hills ovals. Picture: Marc Richards

“You don’t like making examples out of people but something’s got to happen, this is ridiculous.

“And they’re doing all of that for a $2 coin more than likely, or a bottle cap.”

Stirling East Primary School principal Jess Moroney said about 57 holes had been dug on the school’s athletic track on March 23, before the vandals hit again four days later, digging another 12.

Mr Moroney said part of the oval was closed for most of the day while the groundskeeper filled the holes.

“It’s the safety of the children really that was affected, the holes were dug on a 200m running track children were meant to be running on,” Mr Moroney said.